Ruth Stonehouse


Ruth Stonehouse was an actress and film director during the silent film era. Her stage career started at the age of eight as a dancer in Arizona shows.

Early life

Ruth Stonehouse was born to James Wesley Stonehouse and Georgia C. Worster on September 28, 1892, in Denver, Colorado. Her father was the founder of Stonehouse Signs Inc. According to the 1900 Census for Laurence Town, Teller County, Colorado, she lived with her father, James, a sign writer, and her grandmother, Eda Stonehouse, along with her sister, Hazel, who was a year younger. By 1910, she was living with her mother, Georgia Stonehouse, a stenographer, and her sister, Hazel, in Chicago, Illinois. Curiously, her mother lists herself as a widow on the 1910 Census, while James Stonehouse can be found residing in Arizona.

Film career

Stonehouse worked for Triangle Film Corporation and Universal Pictures during a career which extended from 1911 until 1928. A few years prior in 1907, she was a founding member of Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. She also signed on to work on Cyrus J. Williams' productions. Having experience here helped Stonehouse begin her directing career later on as she moved to different stations. Her androgynous appearance was most apparent in the role of Nancy Glenn and in the 1917 motion picture, The Edge of the Law. She performed in comedies and dramas such as the patriotic film Doing Her Bit, which was directed by Jack Conway.
In 1917, Stonehouse directed the films Daredevil Dan, A Walloping Time, The Winning Pair, A Limb of Satan, Puppy Love, and Tacky Sue's Romance. These movies were one-reel orphan asylum pictures, the first of which was entitled Mary Ann.

Personal life

Stonehouse owned a cabin in Santa Anita Canyon in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Here she entertained men and women of prominence in the film world, cooking culinary masterpieces which her friends deemed superior to most chefs. Stonehouse was a fan of the Owen Magnetic Auto and promoted it in newspapers. Stonehouse was an avid gardener who grew fibrous-rooted begonias, pleromas, fuchsias, cinerias, and hyacinths. Her home, located at 204 North Rossmore Avenue in Los Angeles, California, was an adaptation of a Spanish design that was situated well to the front of a large lot. She was an active worker in the Children's Home Society for twenty-five years and also a member of the Garden Club of California.

Death

Stonehouse died in Hollywood, California of a cerebral hemorrhage on May 12, 1941, at the age of 48. She was listed as Mrs. Felix Hughes in her obituary. Her funeral services were conducted from Wee Kirk o' the Heather. She was interred in a mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Selected filmography

Mr. Wise, Investigator *shortFrom the Submerged *shortWhen Soul Meets Soul *shortThe Spy's Defeat short with Francis X. BushmanBlood Will Tell short with BushmanAshes of Hope short with BushmanThe Masked Wrestler *shortNo. 28, Diplomat *shortThe Slim Princess with Wallace BeeryThe Romance of an American Duchess The Papered Door *shortThe Alster Case The Gilded Cage The Adventures of Peg o' the Ring *serialA Limb of Satan *short Directed & starring Ruth Stonehouse with Jack Dill and Charles BennettA Phantom Husband The Edge of the Law Love Aflame Follow the Girl The Saintly Sinner Fighting for Love Rosalind at Redgate *shortThe Master Mystery The Masked Rider The Four-Flusher The Red Viper Parlor, Bedroom and Bath The Hope Are All Men Alike? The Land of Jazz Cinderella's Twin I Am Guilty Don't Call Me Little Girl The Wolver Mother o' Dreams Lorraine of the Timberlands The Honor of Rameriz The Spirit of the Lake The Heart of Doreon The Flash Flames of Passion Lights Out The Way of the Transgressor A Girl of the Limberlost Broken Barriers Straight Through A Two-Fisted Sheriff Fifth Avenue Models The Fugitive Blood and Steel The Scarlet West Ermine and Rhinestones False Pride The Wives of the Prophet Broken Homes The Ladybird Poor Girls The Satin Woman The Ape